Steering system for autonomous vehicle

ABSTRACT

A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a divisional application of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/095,717, filed Apr. 11, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate to vehicle steering systems and, more particularly, to a steering system for an autonomous vehicle.

Vehicles may be equipped with systems and devices to semi-autonomously or autonomously control a vehicle and perform vehicle maneuvers. The systems or devices may provide driving control with minimal driver intervention to reduce the driving burden on the driver. Some systems or devices may enable vehicles to lack a traditional steering wheel, and possibly steering column, for use as the human to machine interface. However, such a vehicle may occasionally lack the ability to perform highly specialized steering functions.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, a steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is a touch screen illustrating a vehicle environment and comprising at least one steering control image for interaction by a user to control steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode.

According to another aspect of the invention, a steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is a joystick controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alternate steering mechanism for an autonomous vehicle according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the alternate steering mechanism according to another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the alternate steering mechanism according to yet another aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternate steering mechanism according to yet another aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, where the invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments, without limiting same, a steering system for an autonomous vehicle or a selectively autonomous vehicle is provided and generally referenced with numeral 10. The steering system 10 provides a primary steering mode (which is an autonomous steering mode as used herein) and a secondary steering mode (which can be a semi-autonomous or manual mode as used herein), with each controlling movement of vehicle road wheels for directional control of the vehicle. Autonomous steering of the vehicle is advantageous in autonomous or semi-autonomous driving modes of a vehicle. Autonomous driving refers to vehicles that are configured to perform operations without continuous input from a driver (e.g., steering, accelerating, braking etc.) and may be equipped with advanced driver assist system(s), including an autonomous driving assist steering system 12, to allow the vehicle to be autonomously controlled using sensing, steering, and/or braking technology. When the advanced driver assist system is activated, the steering wheel is not required for vehicle control. Therefore, the embodiments described herein do not include a steering wheel. Additionally, a steering column may be omitted from the vehicle. Elimination of the steering column and/or steering wheel increases the space within the vehicle interior, thereby enhancing passenger comfort.

The embodiments of the steering system 10 described herein rely on the autonomous driving assist steering system 12 to control steering of the vehicle in a primary steering mode. The primary steering mode is activated during normal operating conditions of the vehicle and do not require human operator input in a physical form that is required in traditional steering systems (e.g., manipulation of a steering wheel). In some cases, limitations of the primary steering mode may be present, as the advanced driving assist steering system 12 relies on various forms of technology to operate. Exemplary technologies relied upon include GPS location, proximity sensors, lane keeping, and vehicle-to-infrastructure recognition, etc. Infrequently, one or more of the technologies relied upon may be unavailable, thus requiring activation of the secondary, alternate driving mode. Maneuvering within a parking garage, maneuvering within a maintenance garage, and maneuvering during loading or unloading of the vehicle from a factory site to a dealership via commercial carrier are examples of situations that make the secondary driving mode desirable. The preceding list of examples is merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the steering system 10 is illustrated. As described above, the steering system 10 includes the autonomous driving assist steering system 12 to control steering in a primary steering mode. An alternate steering mechanism is provided to facilitate control while the steering system 10 is in the secondary steering mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the alternate steering mechanism is a touch screen 20 that is provided to allow a user to interact therewith to control steering of the vehicle in the secondary steering mode. Inputs provided by the user are communicated to the advanced driving assist system for control of a vehicle steering system controller (e.g., electrical assisted power steering mechanism). The touch screen 20 is located on, and/or within, a center stack 22 of the vehicle in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the touch screen 20 is disposed within other fixed locations of the vehicle interior that are easily accessible to the user. For example, the touch screen 20 may be located at any location along a dashboard 24 or on an armrest 62 (FIG. 4).

Regardless of the precise position of the touch screen 20, the touch screen 20 includes a steering control image 30 displayed thereon. In one embodiment, the steering control image 30 is at least one camera image illustrating an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle mapped out with cameras and/or proximity sensors. In such an embodiment, a user may trace a desired path with a finger on the touch screen to program a steering path to maneuver the vehicle within the surrounding environment. Alternatively, a virtual steering wheel 32 may be included within the steering control image 30. The virtual steering wheel 32 provides an interactive control that is visually similar to a steering wheel. The virtual steering wheel 32 may be rotated by the user to input steering commands in the secondary steering mode. In some embodiments, a keyboard may be provided to serve as an interface for operator input. Steering in the secondary steering mode may be used to perform specialized steering maneuvers, such as steering the vehicle into a repair bay or guiding the vehicle on/off a loading ramp of a vehicle delivery trailer. These are merely examples of the specialized maneuvers that may be achieved with the secondary steering mode.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, alternate locations of the touch screen 20 are illustrated. In some embodiments, the touch screen 20 is located on a display of a laptop computer 40 (FIG. 2) or a portable device 50 (FIG. 3), such as a cellular phone or a tablet. In such embodiments, the laptop 40 or the portable device 50 is in wired or wireless communication with the advanced driving assist system to communicate the user inputs from the device to the advanced driving assist system for control of a vehicle steering system controller (e.g., electrical assisted power steering mechanism).

As with the embodiment of the touch screen 20 described above in connection with FIG. 1, a virtual steering wheel 32 may be provided on the steering control image 30 or a mapped out surrounding environment may be provided. In embodiments with the portable device 50, an app may be used to enhance functionality of the steering system 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the alternate steering mechanism is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the alternate steering mechanism comprises a joystick 60, knob or the like, that is in communication with the advanced driving assist system for control of a vehicle steering system controller (e.g., electrical assisted power steering mechanism) while the steering system 10 is in the secondary steering mode. The joystick 60 is a pivotable member and may be located in numerous contemplated locations of the vehicle interior. For example, the joystick 60 may be located on a dashboard 24 of the autonomous vehicle, on a center stack 22 of the autonomous vehicle, on a door of the autonomous vehicle, or on an armrest 62 of the autonomous vehicle. Additionally, the joystick 60 may be integrated with a transmission shift lever 64 (e.g., PRNDL lever). Irrespective of the precise location of the joystick 60, the user is able to maneuver the vehicle with the joystick 60.

Advantageously, specialized steering maneuvers are facilitated in the secondary steering mode, while permitting removal of the steering column and/or steering wheel to enhance the vehicle interior compartment by increasing available space.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description. 

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
 1. A steering system for an autonomous vehicle comprising: an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode; and a joystick controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode.
 2. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located on a dashboard of the autonomous vehicle.
 3. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located on a center stack of the autonomous vehicle.
 4. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located on an armrest of the autonomous vehicle.
 5. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is located on a door of the autonomous vehicle.
 6. The steering system of claim 1, wherein the joystick is integrated with a transmission shift lever. 